The 12 Months of the French Republican Calendar | Britannica.com The 12 Months of the French Republican Calendar Editor Picks: Exploring 10 Types of Basketball Movies French revolutionaries believed they did not simply topple a government, but established a new social order founded on freedom and equality. Far from limiting reforms to the state, revolutionaries sought to align French institutions and mores on the basis of the new republican ideals through a multitude of changes, from reorganizing France’s regional divisions to abandoning the terms Monsieur and Madame in favor of the more egalitarian Citoyen and Citoyenne. To mark the advent of the new age of liberty, they also replaced, in October 1793, the old Gregorian calendar with a new republican calendar. Henceforth, the year of the official proclamation of the Republic (1792) would become Year One. In this secular calendar, the twelve months of the year were named after natural elements, while each day was named for a seed, tree, flower, fruit, animal, or tool, replacing the saints’-day names and Christian festivals. The republican calendar was abandoned by Napoleon on January 1, 1806.

1Germinal Month of sprouting buds ~ March 21 to April 19 The word was coined by revolutionary Phillippe Fabre-Desglantines from the German noun "germen" (sprout, bud). It was made famous by Émile Zola’s namesake novel.

As Merriam-Webster teaches us, germinal is also an English noun, which means "being in the earliest stage of development" or "of, relating to, or having the characteristics of a germ cell or early embryo." 2Floréal The months of flowering (from the Latin flos, flower) ~April 20 to May 19 In a poem dedicated to the new republican calendar, Citizen Cupière associated these names with the joy of nature’s rebirth: "Germinal will have me caress my Lisette, Floréal pin flowers to her ruff, Prairial lead her to joyful lawns..." 3Prairial Month of meadows ~ May 20 to June 18 This month is remembered for the infamous Law of 22 Prairial Year II, or Law of the Great Terror, which substantially weakened the rights of those accused to be “enemies of the people.” 4Messidor Month of harvest (in Latin: messis) ~June 19 to July 18 Every day of the year was also renamed after an element of nature, to counter the Catholic calendar’s association of days with the names of saints and sacred events.

The first three days of Messidor, for instance, were dedicated to rye, oat, and onion. 5Thermidor Month of warmth ~ July 19 to August 17 Because the revolt which caused the fall of Robespierre in 1794 occurred during this month, “Thermidhorian” has come to mean a counterrevolutionary movement or regime seeking to re-establish order and normalcy following a period of political radicalism. 6Fructidor Month of fruits ~ August 18 to September 16 Most people know of the Declaration of the Rights of Man and the Citizen, written in 1789. Less known is that a series of declarations, more or less radical in tone, followed. The Constitution of the 5th Fructidor Year III, and the Declaration which served as its preamble, emphasized law and order. Article 1 stated: “The rights of man in society, are liberty, equality, security, and property.” 7Vendémiaire Month of vintage ~ September 22 to October 21 In Year VI of the Revolution (1795), the French legislative assembly (the Convention) passed a decree to counter the rising support enjoyed by royalists.

According to this decree, two-thirds of the incoming representatives had to come from the poll of incumbents. On the 13th of Vendémiaire, an armed insurrection led by royalists was defeated by the French army. One of the leaders of the counter-insurrection was a certain Captain Napoléon Bonaparte, who royalists would long call general Vendémiaire. 8Brumiaire Month of fog ~ October 22 to November 20 On the 18th of Brumaire, French General Napoléon Bonaparte led a coup which overthrew the government known as the “Directoire.” The event is often regarded as the end of the French Revolution. 9Frimaire Month of wintry weather ~ November 21 to December 20 Napoleon was crowned as Emperor of the French on the 11th day of this month, in Year XIII (December 2nd, 1804). The ceremony was led by Pope Pius, who blessed the new emperor with these words: "Que Dieu vous affermisse sur ce trône..." (’May God strengthen you upon this throne...).

10Nivôse Month of snow ~ December 21 to January 19 In the French Navy, Nivôse is the name of a warship built in 1992, which served notably in counter-piracy missions. 11Pluviôse Month of rain ~ January 20 to February 18 On the 16th of Pluviôse, Year II (February 4, 1794), the National Assembly abolished slavery in all French colonies, and proclaimed the equality of all men, regardless of the color of their skin. Unfortunately, the victory of the anti-slavery camp was relatively short-lived, and slavery was restored in 1802. 12Ventôse © Dmitri Brodski/Fotolia Month of wind~ February 19 to March 20 This month is remembered in part for the Ventôse Decrees, which legalized the confiscation of the property of suspected counterrevolutionaries and its redistribution to needy patriots.

The Revolutionary Calendar The Revolutionary Calendar By Martin Liechty The Revolutionary Calendar was officially in use from 22 September 1793 (1st Vendémiaire of year II) till the end of 1805 (11. Ventôse of XIV). The time period started actually on the 22nd September 1792. So the republican year started on the 22nd September (Gregorian) and ended after 12 month à 30 days on the 16th September of the following (Gregorian) year. The remaining 5 days (17th till 21st September) were added as the so called "Sanscullotides"). During leap years (1796, 1800, 1804) an additional Sanscullotide (the "jour complémentaire") was added.

How to calculate Revolution Calendar to Gregorian Calendar Example: 25 Brumaire an VIII take 1792 plus 8 years -> 1800 since an I was 1792, subtract one from the year -> 1799 check if the 25 Brumaire is between 22 September and 31 December -> YES -> year 1799 is correct lookup the the respective Gregorian day for the 25 Brumaire -> 15 November result: 15 November 1799 take 1799 minus 1792 -> an VII Since 1792 was an I add a one to the year -> an VIII check if the he 22 may is between 22 September and 31 December -> NO (of course not) -> take an VIII minus 1 year -> an VII is correct lookup the the respective revolutionary day for the 22 May -> 3 Prairial result: 3 Prairial an VII Exception Be careful with the leap years (years with 366 days, 1796, 1800, 1804)!

On leap years the 29 February corresponds with the 11 Ventôse. So every Gregorian day corresponds with the next Revolution Calendar day. So the 1 March is the 12 Ventôse and the 21 September is the Jour complémentaire.

1 Vendémiaire (Primidi) = 22 September 2 Vendémiaire (Duodi) = 23 September 3 Vendémiaire (Tridi) = 24 September 4 Vendémiaire (Quartidi) = 25 September 5 Vendémiaire (Quintidi) = 26 September 6 Vendémiaire (Sextidi) = 27 September 7 Vendémiaire (Septidi) = 28 September 8 Vendémiaire (Octidi) = 29 September 9 Vendémiaire (Nonidi) = 30 September 10 Vendémiaire (Decadi) = 1 October 11 Vendémiaire (Primidi) = 2 October 12 Vendémiaire (Duodi) = 3 October 13 Vendémiaire (Tridi) = 4 October 14 Vendémiaire (Quartidi) = 5 October 15 Vendémiaire (Quintidi) = 6 October 16 Vendémiaire (Sextidi) = 7 October 17 Vendémiaire (Septidi)

 = 8 October 18 Vendémiaire (Octidi) = 9 October 19 Vendémiaire (Nonidi) = 10 October 20 Vendémiaire (Decadi) = 11 October 21 Vendémiaire (Primidi) = 12 October 22 Vendémiaire (Duodi) = 13 October 23 Vendémiaire (Tridi) = 14 October 24 Vendémiaire (Quartidi) = 15 October 25 Vendémiaire (Quintidi) = 16 October 26 Vendémiaire (Sextidi) = 17 October 27 Vendémiaire (Septidi) = 18 October 28 Vendémiaire (Octidi) = 19 October 29 Vendémiaire (Nonidi) = 20 October 30 Vendémiaire (Decadi) = 21 October 1 Brumaire (Primidi) = 22 October 2 Brumaire (Duodi) = 23 October 3 Brumaire (Tridi) = 24 October

 4 Brumaire (Quartidi) = 25 October 5 Brumaire (Quintidi) = 26 October 6 Brumaire (Sextidi) = 27 October 7 Brumaire (Septidi) = 28 October 8 Brumaire (Octidi) = 29 October 9 Brumaire (Nonidi) = 30 October 10 Brumaire (Decadi) = 31 October 11 Brumaire (Primidi) = 1 November 12 Brumaire (Duodi) = 2 November 13 Brumaire (Tridi) = 3 November 14 Brumaire (Quartidi) = 4 November 15 Brumaire (Quintidi) = 5 November 16 Brumaire (Sextidi) = 6 November 17 Brumaire (Septidi) = 7 November 18 Brumaire (Octidi) = 8 November 19 Brumaire (Nonidi) = 9 November 20 Brumaire (Decadi) = 10 November 21 Brumaire (Primidi)

 = 11 November 22 Brumaire (Duodi) = 12 November 23 Brumaire (Tridi) = 13 November 24 Brumaire (Quartidi) = 14 November 25 Brumaire (Quintidi) = 15 November 26 Brumaire (Sextidi) = 16 November 27 Brumaire (Septidi) = 17 November 28 Brumaire (Octidi) = 18 November 29 Brumaire (Nonidi) = 19 November 30 Brumaire (Decadi) = 20 November 1 Frimaire (Primidi) = 21 November 2 Frimaire (Duodi) = 22 November 3 Frimaire (Tridi) = 23 November 4 Frimaire (Quartidi) = 24 November 5 Frimaire (Quintidi) = 25 November 6 Frimaire (Sextidi) = 26 November 7 Frimaire (Septidi) = 27 November 8 Frimaire (Octidi) = 2

8 November 9 Frimaire (Nonidi) = 29 November 10 Frimaire (Decadi) = 30 November 11 Frimaire (Primidi) = 1 December 12 Frimaire (Duodi) = 2 December 13 Frimaire (Tridi) = 3 December 14 Frimaire (Quartidi) = 4 December 15 Frimaire (Quintidi) = 5 December 16 Frimaire (Sextidi) = 6 December 17 Frimaire (Septidi) = 7 December 18 Frimaire (Octidi) = 8 December 19 Frimaire (Nonidi) = 9 December 20 Frimaire (Decadi) = 10 December 21 Frimaire (Primidi) = 11 December 22 Frimaire (Duodi) = 12 December 23 Frimaire (Tridi) = 13 December 24 Frimaire (Quartidi) = 14 December 25 Frimaire (Quintidi) = 15 December 26 Fr

imaire (Sextidi) = 16 December 27 Frimaire (Septidi) = 17 December 28 Frimaire (Octidi) = 18 December 29 Frimaire (Nonidi) = 19 December 30 Frimaire (Decadi) = 20 December 1 Nivôse (Primidi) = 21 December 2 Nivôse (Duodi) = 22 December 3 Nivôse (Tridi) = 23 December 4 Nivôse (Quartidi) = 24 December 5 Nivôse (Quintidi) = 25 December 6 Nivôse (Sextidi) = 26 December 7 Nivôse (Septidi) = 27 December 8 Nivôse (Octidi) = 28 December 9 Nivôse (Nonidi) = 29 December 10 Nivôse (Decadi) = 30 December 11 Nivôse (Primidi) = 31 December 12 Nivôse (Duodi) = 1

 January 13 Nivôse (Tridi) = 2 January 14 Nivôse (Quartidi) = 3 January 15 Nivôse (Quintidi) = 4 January 16 Nivôse (Sextidi) = 5 January 17 Nivôse (Septidi) = 6 January 18 Nivôse (Octidi) = 7 January 19 Nivôse (Nonidi) = 8 January 20 Nivôse (Decadi) = 9 January 21 Nivôse (Primidi) = 10 January 22 Nivôse (Duodi) = 11 January 23 Nivôse (Tridi) = 12 January 24 Nivôse (Quartidi) = 13 January 25 Nivôse (Quintidi) = 14 January 26 Nivôse (Sextidi) = 15 January 27 Nivôse (Septidi) = 16 January 28 Nivôse (Octidi) = 17 January 

29 Nivôse (Nonidi) = 18 January 30 Nivôse (Decadi) = 19 January 1 Pluviôse (Primidi) = 20 January 2 Pluviôse (Duodi) = 21 January 3 Pluviôse (Tridi) = 22 January 4 Pluviôse (Quartidi) = 23 January 5 Pluviôse (Quintidi) = 24 January 6 Pluviôse (Sextidi) = 25 January 7 Pluviôse (Septidi) = 26 January 8 Pluviôse (Octidi) = 27 January 9 Pluviôse (Nonidi) = 28 January 10 Pluviôse (Decadi) = 29 January 11 Pluviôse (Primidi) = 30 January 12 Pluviôse (Duodi) = 31 January 13 Pluviôse (Tridi) = 1 February 14 Pluviôse (Quart

idi) = 2 February 15 Pluviôse (Quintidi) = 3 February 16 Pluviôse (Sextidi) = 4 February 17 Pluviôse (Septidi) = 5 February 18 Pluviôse (Octidi) = 6 February 19 Pluviôse (Nonidi) = 7 February 20 Pluviôse (Decadi) = 8 February 21 Pluviôse (Primidi) = 9 February 22 Pluviôse (Duodi) = 10 February 23 Pluviôse (Tridi) = 11 February 24 Pluviôse (Quartidi) = 12 February 25 Pluviôse (Quintidi) = 13 February 26 Pluviôse (Sextidi) = 14 February 27 Pluviôse (Septidi) = 15 February 28 Pluviôse (Octidi) = 16 February 29 Pluviôse (Nonidi) = 

17 February 30 Pluviôse (Decadi) = 18 February 1 Ventôse (Primidi) = 19 February 2 Ventôse (Duodi) = 20 February 3 Ventôse (Tridi) = 21 February 4 Ventôse (Quartidi) = 22 February 5 Ventôse (Quintidi) = 23 February 6 Ventôse (Sextidi) = 24 February 7 Ventôse (Septidi) = 25 February 8 Ventôse (Octidi) = 26 February 9 Ventôse (Nonidi) = 27 February 10 Ventôse (Decadi) = 28 February 11 Ventôse (Primidi) = 1 March 12 Ventôse (Duodi) = 2 March 13 Ventôse (Tridi) = 3 March 14 Ventôse (Quartidi) = 4 March 15 Ventôse (Quintidi) = 5 March 16 Ventôse (Sextidi) = 6 March 17 Ventô

se (Septidi) = 7 March 18 Ventôse (Octidi) = 8 March 19 Ventôse (Nonidi) = 9 March 20 Ventôse (Decadi) = 10 March 21 Ventôse (Primidi) = 11 March 22 Ventôse (Duodi) = 12 March 23 Ventôse (Tridi) = 13 March 24 Ventôse (Quartidi) = 14 March 25 Ventôse (Quintidi) = 15 March 26 Ventôse (Sextidi) = 16 March 27 Ventôse (Septidi) = 17 March 28 Ventôse (Octidi) = 18 March 29 Ventôse (Nonidi) = 19 March 30 Ventôse (Decadi) = 20 March 1 Germinal (Primidi) = 21 March 2 Germinal (Duodi) = 22 March 3 Germinal (Tridi) = 23 March 4 Germinal (Quartidi) = 2

4 March 5 Germinal (Quintidi) = 25 March 6 Germinal (Sextidi) = 26 March 7 Germinal (Septidi) = 27 March 8 Germinal (Octidi) = 28 March 9 Germinal (Nonidi) = 29 March 10 Germinal (Decadi) = 30 March 11 Germinal (Primidi) = 31 March 12 Germinal (Duodi) = 1 April 13 Germinal (Tridi) = 2 April 14 Germinal (Quartidi) = 3 April 15 Germinal (Quintidi) = 4 April 16 Germinal (Sextidi) = 5 April 17 Germinal (Septidi) = 6 April 18 Germinal (Octidi) = 7 April 19 Germinal (Nonidi) = 8 April 20 Germinal (Decadi) = 9 April 21 Germinal (Primidi) = 10 April 22 Germinal (Duodi) = 11 April 23 Germinal (Tridi) = 

12 April 24 Germinal (Quartidi) = 13 April 25 Germinal (Quintidi) = 14 April 26 Germinal (Sextidi) = 15 April 27 Germinal (Septidi) = 16 April 28 Germinal (Octidi) = 17 April 29 Germinal (Nonidi) = 18 April 30 Germinal (Decadi) = 19 April 1 Floréal (Primidi) = 20 April 2 Floréal (Duodi) = 21 April 3 Floréal (Tridi) = 22 April 4 Floréal (Quartidi) = 23 April 5 Floréal (Quintidi) = 24 April 6 Floréal (Sextidi) = 25 April 7 Floréal (Septidi) = 26 April 8 Floréal (Octidi) = 27 April 9 Floréal (Nonidi) = 28 April 10 Floréal (Decadi) = 29 April 11 Floréal (Primidi) = 30 April 12 Flor

éal (Duodi) = 1 May 13 Floréal (Tridi) = 2 May 14 Floréal (Quartidi) = 3 May 15 Floréal (Quintidi) = 4 May 16 Floréal (Sextidi) = 5 May 17 Floréal (Septidi) = 6 May 18 Floréal (Octidi) = 7 May 19 Floréal (Nonidi) = 8 May 20 Floréal (Decadi) = 9 May 21 Floréal (Primidi) = 10 May 22 Floréal (Duodi) = 11 May 23 Floréal (Tridi) = 12 May 24 Floréal (Quartidi) = 13 May 25 Floréal (Quintidi) = 14 May 26 Floréal (Sextidi) = 15 May 27 Floréal (Septidi) = 16 May 28 Floréal (Octidi) = 17 May 29 Floréal (Nonidi) = 18 May 30 Floréal (Decadi) = 

19 May 1 Prairial (Primidi) = 20 May 2 Prairial (Duodi) = 21 May 3 Prairial (Tridi) = 22 May 4 Prairial (Quartidi) = 23 May 5 Prairial (Quintidi) = 24 May 6 Prairial (Sextidi) = 25 May 7 Prairial (Septidi) = 26 May 8 Prairial (Octidi) = 27 May 9 Prairial (Nonidi) = 28 May 10 Prairial (Decadi) = 29 May 11 Prairial (Primidi) = 30 May 12 Prairial (Duodi) = 31 May 13 Prairial (Tridi) = 1 June 14 Prairial (Quartidi) = 2 June 15 Prairial (Quintidi) = 3 June 16 Prairial (Sextidi) = 4 June 17 Prairial (Septidi) = 5 June 18 Prairial

 (Octidi) = 6 June 19 Prairial (Nonidi) = 7 June 20 Prairial (Decadi) = 8 June 21 Prairial (Primidi) = 9 June 22 Prairial (Duodi) = 10 June 23 Prairial (Tridi) = 11 June 24 Prairial (Quartidi) = 12 June 25 Prairial (Quintidi) = 13 June 26 Prairial (Sextidi) = 14 June 27 Prairial (Septidi) = 15 June 28 Prairial (Octidi) = 16 June 29 Prairial (Nonidi) = 17 June 30 Prairial (Decadi) = 18 June 1 Messidor (Primidi) = 19 June 2 Messidor (Duodi) = 20 June 3 Messidor (Tridi) = 21 June 4 Messidor (Quartidi) = 22 June 5 Messidor (Quintidi) = 23 June 

6 Messidor (Sextidi) = 24 June 7 Messidor (Septidi) = 25 June 8 Messidor (Octidi) = 26 June 9 Messidor (Nonidi) = 27 June 10 Messidor (Decadi) = 28 June 11 Messidor (Primidi) = 29 June 12 Messidor (Duodi) = 30 June 13 Messidor (Tridi) = 1 July 14 Messidor (Quartidi) = 2 July 15 Messidor (Quintidi) = 3 July 16 Messidor (Sextidi) = 4 July 17 Messidor (Septidi) = 5 July 18 Messidor (Octidi) = 6 July 19 Messidor (Nonidi) = 7 July 20 Messidor (Decadi) = 8 July 21 Messidor (Primidi) = 9 July 22 Messidor (Duodi) = 10 July 23 Messidor (Tridi) = 11 July 24 Messidor (Quartidi) = 12

 July 25 Messidor (Quintidi) = 13 July 26 Messidor (Sextidi) = 14 July 27 Messidor (Septidi) = 15 July 28 Messidor (Octidi) = 16 July 29 Messidor (Nonidi) = 17 July 30 Messidor (Decadi) = 18 July 1 Thermidor (Primidi) = 19 July 2 Thermidor (Duodi) = 20 July 3 Thermidor (Tridi) = 21 July 4 Thermidor (Quartidi) = 22 July 5 Thermidor (Quintidi) = 23 July 6 Thermidor (Sextidi) = 24 July 7 Thermidor (Septidi) = 25 July 8 Thermidor (Octidi) = 26 July 9 Thermidor (Nonidi) = 27 July 10 Thermidor (Decadi) = 28 July 11 Thermidor (Primidi) = 29 July 12 Thermidor (Duodi) = 30 July 13 Thermidor (Tr

idi) = 31 July 14 Thermidor (Quartidi) = 1 August 15 Thermidor (Quintidi) = 2 August 16 Thermidor (Sextidi) = 3 August 17 Thermidor (Septidi) = 4 August 18 Thermidor (Octidi) = 5 August 19 Thermidor (Nonidi) = 6 August 20 Thermidor (Decadi) = 7 August 21 Thermidor (Primidi) = 8 August 22 Thermidor (Duodi) = 9 August 23 Thermidor (Tridi) = 10 August 24 Thermidor (Quartidi) = 11 August 25 Thermidor (Quintidi) = 12 August 26 Thermidor (Sextidi) = 13 August 27 Thermidor (Septidi) = 14 August 28 Thermidor (Octidi) = 15 August 29 Thermidor (Nonidi) = 16 August 30 Thermidor (Decadi) = 17 August 1 Fructidor (Primidi) = 18 August

 2 Fructidor (Duodi) = 19 August 3 Fructidor (Tridi) = 20 August 4 Fructidor (Quartidi) = 21 August 5 Fructidor (Quintidi) = 22 August 6 Fructidor (Sextidi) = 23 August 7 Fructidor (Septidi) = 24 August 8 Fructidor (Octidi) = 25 August 9 Fructidor (Nonidi) = 26 August 10 Fructidor (Decadi) = 27 August 11 Fructidor (Primidi) = 28 August 12 Fructidor (Duodi) = 29 August 13 Fructidor (Tridi) = 30 August 14 Fructidor (Quartidi) = 31 August 15 Fructidor (Quintidi) = 1 September 16 Fructidor (Sextidi) = 2 September 17 Fructidor (Septidi) = 3 September 18 Fructidor (Octidi) = 4 September 19 Fructidor (

Nonidi) = 5 September 20 Fructidor (Decadi) = 6 September 21 Fructidor (Primidi) = 7 September 22 Fructidor (Duodi) = 8 September 23 Fructidor (Tridi) = 9 September 24 Fructidor (Quartidi) = 10 September 25 Fructidor (Quintidi) = 11 September 26 Fructidor (Sextidi) = 12 September 27 Fructidor (Septidi) = 13 September 28 Fructidor (Octidi) = 14 September 29 Fructidor (Nonidi) = 15 September 30 Fructidor (Decadi) = 16 September Jour sansculottide (Fète de Vértu) = 17 September Jour sansculottide (Fète du Génie) = 18 September Jour sansculottide (Fète de Travail) = 19 September Jour sansculottide (Fète de l'Opinion) = 20 September Jour sansculottide (Fète

 de Récompenses) = 21 September Jour sansculottide (Jour complémentaire) The Republican calendar - napoleon.org Home History of the Two Empires The Republican calendar The Republican calendar On 6 October, 1793 (15 Vendémiaire, An II), the Convention decided to create a new calendar for the new Republic, fixing the start date as the day when that Republic was proclaimed, namely the autumn equinox, 22 September, 1792.

As for the seven-day week, it was replaced by a ten-day cycle called a ‘décade‘: day names were changed to primidi (oneday), duodi (twoday), tridi (threeday), quartidi (fourday etc.), quintidi, sextidi, septidi, octidi, nonidi and décadi. Months were made up of three decades, and the year ended after Fructidor with 5 supplementary days (Jours supplémentaires); and a 6th ‘Jour de la Révolution’ for leap years. As for the months, new names for them were invented by the poet Philippe François Nazaire Fabre, known as Fabre d’Eglantine (1750-1794). He took as his inspiration the seasons and the events in Nature associated with them: the Republican year began with the month of Vendémiaire (from the Latin ‘vindemia’, grape harvest) (22 September to 21 October).

This was followed by the months of Brumaire (from the French ‘brume’, fog) and Frimaire (from the French ‘frimas’, hoarfrost); then Nivôse (from the Latin ‘nivosus’, snowy), Pluviôse (from the Latin ‘pluviosus’, rainy), and Ventôse (from the Latin ‘ventosus’, windy); following that, Germinal (from the Latin ‘germen, germinis’ a bud), Floréal (from the Latin ‘floreus’, flowery) and Prairial (from the French ‘prairie’, meadow); and finally Messidor (from the Latin ‘messis’, corn harvest and the Greek ‘doron’, gift), Thermidor (from the Greek ‘thermon’ heat and the Greek ‘doron’ gift) et Fructidor (from the Latin ‘fructus’, fruit and the Greek ‘doron’, gift). The French Revolutionary Calendar | Calendars 6 Ventôse 12 Fructidor The year was not divided into weeks, instead each month was divided into three décades of 10 days, of which the final day was a day of rest.

This was an attempt to de-Christianize the calendar, but it was an unpopular move, because now there were 9 work days between each day of rest, whereas the Gregorian Calendar had only 6 work days between each Sunday. The ten days of each décade were called, respectively, Primidi, Duodi, Tridi, Quartidi, Quintidi, Sextidi, Septidi, Octidi, Nonidi, Decadi. The 5 or 6 additional days followed the last day of Fructidor and were called: 1 Fete de la vertu (Celebration of virtue) 2 Fete du genie (Celebration of genius) 3 Fete du travail (Celebration of labor) 4 Fete de l'opinion (Celebration of opinion) 5 Fete des recompenses (Celebration of rewards) 6 Jour de la revolution (Day of the revolution) (the leap day) Each year was supposed to start on autumnal equinox (around 22 September), but this created problems as will be seen below . How does one count years? Years are counted since the establishment of the first French Republic on 22 September 1792.

That day became 1 Vendemiaire of the year 1 of the Republic. (However, the Revolutionary Calendar was not introduced until 24 November 1793.) What years are leap years? Leap years were introduced to keep New Year’s Day on autumnal equinox. But this turned out to be difficult to handle, because equinox is not completely simple to predict. Therefore a rule similar to the one used in the Gregorian Calendar (including a 4000 year rule ) was to take effect in the year 20. However, the Revolutionary Calendar was abolished in the year 14, making this new rule irrelevant. The following years were leap years: 3, 7, and 11. The years 15 and 20 should have been leap years, after which every 4th year (except every 100th year etc. etc.) should have been a leap year. The historicity of these leap year rules has been disputed. One source mentions that the calendar used a rule which would give 31 leap years in every 128 year period. How does one convert a Republican date to a Gregorian one?

The following table lists the Gregorian date on which each year of the Republic started: Year 1:

Question: Germinal and Messidor are months in which calendar?
Answer: French Revolutionary Calendar